Pirates let one get away in Springfield

Springfield, Mass. – When the Springfield Falcons took to the ice this season as the new AHL affiliate of the Edmonton Oilers, the league was served notice that things were going to be different in Springfield. This wasn’t going to the same squad on the ice as in year’s past. The Pirates learned that valuable lesson tonight as Springfield defeated Portland for the second time in a week as they went on for the 6-4 victory in front of 2,607 at MassMutual Center.

At 13:16 of the first period, the Pirates grabbed an early 1-0 lead on a goal by Clay Wilson, his first of the season, but the Falcons stormed back late in the period, scoring two goals 34 seconds apart, taking a 2-1 lead into the first intermission.

Portland dominated the second period, outshooting the Falcons 15-6 including 8-1 in the first 10 minutes of the period. Matt Keith would tie the game when he tipped Brian Salcido’s shot from the point by Falcons’ goaltender Jeff Deslauriers at 10:12 of the period.

Jason King, just assigned to Portland earlier in the day, scored his third of the season when he drilled the puck by Deslauriers with 8:29 left in the game, giving the Pirates a 3-2 lead.

Again, Portland couldn’t hold the lead as the Falcons scored a late period goal to tie the game going into the final 20 minutes of play.

Robbie Schremp, one of four first-round draft picks by the Edmonton Oilers currently playing for the Falcons, scored his second goal of the season as he stormed the net, finding the rebound in front of J.P. Levasseur, stuffing it into the net.

Springfield regained the lead early in the third period as Zach Stortini, snapped a wrist shot from the slot, beating Levasseur just 2:03 into the period.

Midway into the third period, Liam Reddox and Brendan Mikkelson would each score their first professional goal, only 42 seconds apart as the Falcons held on to the one goal advantage.

Ben Simon put the game out of reach for Portland, scoring an empty-net goal with 15 seconds left in the game.

J.P. Levasseur stopped 22 shots in the loss, while Jeff Deslauriers stymied the Pirates again; stopping 25 shots for his second win.

NOTES: After the game, the Edmonton Oilers recalled Rob Schremp and Zach Stortini and assigned Robert Nilsson and J.F. Jacques.

Official Game Sheet

Note: There will not be any game updates over the weekend. I’ll have an update on Monday about the games in Worcester and Lowell.

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